¡Miraculous!

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥: Charlinder's Walk by Alison Miers

2012-05-27T19:24:00.000+09:00

Charlinder's Walk by Alison Miers

Release Date: October 16th, 2011

Page Count: 484

Source: Novel Publicity for review, as part of the Charlinder's Walk book tour

In 2012, the Plague ended the world as we know it. In 2130, Charlinder wants to know why.

The origin of the disease remains a mystery. Their ignorance of its provenance fuels a growing schism that threatens to destroy the peace that the survivors’ descendants have built. Unwilling to wait for matters to get any worse, he decides to travel to where the Plague first appeared and find out the truth — which means walking across three continents before returning home.

Charlinder has never been more than ten miles from home, has never heard anyone speak a foreign language, and he’s going it alone.

He survives thousands of miles of everything from near-starvation to near-madness before he meets Gentiola. By then he’s so exhausted that the story she offers to tell seems like little more than a diversion... until he hears it.

Nothing could have prepared him for what he learns from her, and no one ever told him: be careful what you wish for. The world is a much bigger place than Charlinder knew, and his place in it is a question he never asked before.

What Stephanie Thinks: For me, this book is full of contradictions because it encompasses the most complex and diverse of political issues — the universal ones that apply to both our world, and to the world of Charlinder that Miers carefully illustrates — and yet is so grossly simple at the same time. The story itself overflows with ideas, a few of which I'll touch upon (but all of which, I won't have nearly enough space for!) but I still get a sense that there are areas that are highly unrealistic, perhaps too idealistic and too 'best-case scenario', to really constitute for a heavy and considerable dystopian novel.

A self-proclaimed coming-of-age book, Charlinder's Walk is first and foremost an adventure. It embarks on Charlinder's aspiring journey of discovery, but not before introducing the time — post-apocalypse (referred to as post-Plague); place — Paleola, a small village east of the Appalachians; destination — Italy, westward; and goal — to find the origins and secrets of the disease that created Charlinder's world as he knows it. As readers, we know that Paleola has a community that is very different from our modern, industrialized environment. We discover later that other villages featured have commodities and values that are far, far stranger.

I'll admit the 'adventure' here isn't too exciting. Yes, Charlinder meets countless new faces and is exposed to countless little complications and countless unfamiliar cultures throughout his voyage, but they mostly pass as a blur. Things always work out a little too well for him: he always finds shelter right when he runs out of food/energy/motivation, he never really encounters serious barriers (lingual, topographical, physiological, and so on), and he goes on his trip and returns, finding just what he wanted, and without any twists or surprises, so there's nothing particularly memorable. How dull.

The history of the Plague is pretty surprising, I'll give credit where it's due, and Gentiola, the only enigma of a character, enchants me, but the so-called 'secret' seems to be minor in the book, compared to the 400-some remaining pages which describe everything else that occurs.

What I do find fascinating, however, is how Miers finds a way to shove a huge, all-bound sociology debate into her novel. Some topics broached include science and medicine, literacy, gender roles, domestic values, sexuality, religion, diplomacy, human ethics, and even a touch of magic, which laces in the fantastical elements to the plot. They're all subjects that make me think hard, and are what made this book most engaging.

Miers's style is pretty ordinary, but I appreciate how it is straightforward and chronological (no tricky play on perspective or memory, here!). My biggest complaint is that it is agonizingly wordy. Descriptive writing, I'm all for, but when the descriptions do near nothing to further the plot, it gets tedious. For a 484-page novel, this one is not so elaborate and masterful as I would expect; I feel it could have been written in half its page count without much being retracted.

Charlinder's Walk is a quickly paced, fairly easy read that makes me want to jump into arguments about all the global and political affairs it bestows. Kudos to Miers for being able to fit all that into one storyline and still make it relevant, and even more impressively, enjoyable. This isn't just a cheesy read; it actually has substance. However, in structure and in overall theme, it's quite shallow and nothing I will praise strongly. Some places are awfully awkward (for instance, one thing that irks me is how the characters all 'do sex' with each other when I've been taught to 'have' it) but that's nothing too big of a crime. Pick it up during the summer if you've plenty of free time and an open mind.

Stephanie Loves: "...there is no end to the ways that people are limited by societies hiding behind the safety of routine. It may help maintain stability, but tradition should never be used as a substitute for thinking for oneself. It is a support system for life ... not the other way around."

Radical Rating: 7 hearts- A few flaws here and there, but overall enjoyable. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

❤author: Ryan George Kittleman Interview and Giveaway!

2012-05-13T20:12:00.000+09:00

❤ Today, as part of a fantastic book tour alongside JKS Communications, I'm thrilled to welcome author, Ryan George Kittleman, to the blog today. Welcome to ¡Miraculous!, Ryan! Will you please share a short bio with us?

Originally from upstate New York, I've called San Francisco home for the last eight years. By day, I run a boutique law firm with a focus on the art and entertainment industries. At night, I write fiction and compose music. Occasionally, I sleep.

❤ Tell us little bit about your novel, The Great Peace.

The Great Peace is a satirical novel about the contemporary art scene. It imagines a world where a group of starving artists decide to overthrow the government of a small city, and chronicles the folly that ensues. The book is a comedy first and foremost, where the absurdity of setting and scene help illustrate larger social points. In short, it's a serious book that doesn't take itself seriously.

❤ What inspired you to write it and then how did you get published? Tell us your call story.

I've been in and around the art world in one form or another for most of my life, so my mind naturally drifts in that direction. Art brings out very strong and often polarizing opinions which is useful in constructing a narrative, and there's certainly no shortage of eccentrics, so I didn't have to look far for interesting characters. Unfortunately, my publishing path wasn't particularly interesting. The manuscript began circulating very early on and passed through a lot of hands over the course of two years. Eventually, someone said Yes, and here I am.

❤ How much of your actual life gets written into your fictional stories?

I think it's imperative to put yourself into a story as much as possible. Without a certain level of personal truth or artistic honesty, a story can feel forced. It might not always be apparent, but I think The Great Peace is an accurate snapshot of my mindset at the time I wrote it.

❤ How would you describe your writing style and tone?

Like a 19th century aristocrat telling a very dirty joke. Ha!

❤ Well, that more than has me hooked. Give aspiring writers a piece of advice you wish you had known before getting published.

Be open to change and don't get too attached to your early drafts, chances are they are not as solid as you think. Also, listen to your editor!

❤ Very sound suggestions. What about you would surprise your readers?

Like Rufus Wiggin, I was once a pole-vaulter, albeit briefly. Not surprising would be the fact that I was terrible at it.

❤ What's a question you always want to be asked during interviews? How would you answer it?

As a kid, I always enjoyed being asked to state my favorite color. I don't really get that question much any more. So I'll take this opportunity to answer: green. I mean blue. Red, perhaps? Wow, this is harder than I thought. Can I take some time and get back to you?

❤ HAhahaha. What’s the most interesting comment you have ever received about your books?
The most interesting and constructive comments came from friends who were kind enough to read the manuscript as it evolved from first draft to final draft. They deserve a medal for their patience. It's always a treat to have someone interpret a passage or theme in a way that I hadn't considered. It reminded me that there are no right or wrong answers when it comes to reading fiction. This message was voiced by two different editors at two different major publishers, both explaining that they just couldn't justify taking a risk on an unknown author. That was enlightening.

❤ What's next for you?

I'm about halfway through the first draft of a new novel, which is something of a departure from The Great Peace. So far, so good.

❤ Where can you be found on the web?

I have a website and all the various social media doodads (e.g. Facebook, Twitter). I have to apologize in advance to anyone who visits though — I'm not the most tech-savvy or socially-connected person, so new content is often slow to arrive.

Giveaway!

Thanks to Ryan and JKS Communications, we've got one print copy of The Great Peace up for grabs! To enter, leave a comment or question for Ryan on this interview. Be sure to follow the rest of the tour, (schedule found here) as well!

Giveaway runs through May 27th, 2012 at 11.59 pm (your time).
Open to US readers only!

Please include your email address in your comment! If I don't know who to contact once you are chosen as the winner, your prize will be forfeited.
As a reminder, you do not have to follow my blog to enter, though it is always very much appreciated ❤

Good luck!

♥♥♥♥♥♥: The House of Order by John Paul Jaramillo

2012-05-03T07:00:00.000+09:00

The House of Order by John Paul Jaramillo

Release Date: December 17th, 2011

Publisher: Anaphora Literary

Page Count: 105

Source: Novel Publicity for review, as part of the John Paul Jaramillo book tour

The House of Order, the first collection of composite stories by John Paul Jaramillo, presents a stark vision of American childhood and family, set in Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico. Manito Ortiz sorts family truth from legend as broken as the steel industry and the rusting vehicles that line Spruce Street. The only access to his lost family's story is his uncle, the unreliable Neto Ortiz.

What Stephanie Thinks: Urban 20th century Chicano culture is resurrected through Jaramillo's compilation of short, but vivid vignettes. Each of his stories pack a powerful punch in teaching life lessons and the scary side of human emotion through a Hispanic, yet completely universal, point of view.

Even though each of the anecdotes came together well, I can't say I particularly found this book fascinating. The writing style is rather dull, and the entire plot, I just don't get. I know there are different perspectives and different events that shape Manito's family's past, but oftentimes these shifts in narration are confusing (mostly because they aren't explicitly stated, and if they are, it's about halfway through the chapter) and the events seem to have a greater meaning and symbolism to them, that are not thoroughly explained.

Jaramillo has a keen sense of detail and recurrence in his prose, but for someone with an MFA in creative writing, I can't say his style is anything extraordinary — I would consider it less than satisfactory, in fact. It not only lacks intrigue, but also coherence — so much, that I found myself lost in between the pages of this collection of stories multiple times.

When it comes to family sentiment and cultural significance, however, this one hits high notes that I think will settle well with fellow literature nuts. Manito's story carries potent blessings and heartbreaking revelations that all audiences will be able to understand and enjoy.

Stephanie Loves: "If he hadn't been so restless, he wouldn't have wanted to escape the Jefe's house as much as possible to explore and imagine."

Radical Rating: 6 hearts-Satisfying for a first read, but I'm not going back. ♥♥♥♥♥♥

♥♥♥♥♥♥: Lost in Italy by Stacey Joy Netzel

2012-04-30T09:42:00.000+09:00

Lost in Italy by Stacey Joy Netzel

Release Date: October 25th, 2011

Publisher: CreateSpace

Page Count: 345

Source: Directly from author for review

Life is a little different unscripted...

Halli Sanders spent two years planning the trip of a lifetime to Italy. Her itinerary did not include being stranded by her siblings, kidnapped by a sexy American movie star, dodging bullets, or fleeing criminals in a car chase around Lake Como.

Trent Tomlin put his movie career on hold to investigate his brother's murder-ruled-suicide at his Italian villa. He's closing in on the suspects when Halli unwittingly films the murder of the retired cop helping him. The killers will stop at nothing to get the evidence — including holding Halli's family as collateral.

Thrust into the role of real-life hero, Trent finds himself falling for the Plaine Jane whose beauty blossoms with every challenge they face. But can he keep the evidence out of the wrong hands and get justice for his brother without betraying Halli and her family?

What Stephanie Thinks: It's every girl's fantasy to go to a foreign country — one as dazzling and romantic like Italy, at that — and fall in love with a stranger. It's every girl's fantasy to be that one girl for an overrated, over-hotpants movie star, the one that he falls for without knowing it, and the one that's hard to get. Lost in Italy combines these two scenarios to make up Halli and Trent's story.

In that respect (meaning, regarding plot), I feel this novel is a bit farfetched. The situation just seems highly unlikely: first, that Halli would just coincidentally run into Trent Tomlin, who's apparently an even bigger deal than Tom Cruise, and second, that he would fall for her "plain Jane"ness. It is extraordinarily rare for men to go after the plain type. Maybe Halli is different in that she doesn't throw herself on him at their first meeting, but I feel there's nothing that marvelous about her that would make a guy like Trent fall for her.

I'm not saying I don't like her character, though. She's a strong, stubborn, and determined member of Lost in Italy's cast, and I do have a sense of respect for her. I just think Netzel does a poor job convincing me that Trent's affections for her are plausible. They're genuine, all right; you can see it in Trent and Halli's interactions that he really cares and that deep down, she cares as well. However, it's just the synopsis itself that has me doubtful.

The action seems a little forced. Don't get me wrong, the aspect of danger and the thrill is adrenaline-pumping, but there are places I felt were a little weak in the rush. The situation seems more riveting than the actual action; the situation, meaning, a murder caught on camera and the convicts who will go to every length to destroy the evidence.

One thing I did enjoy was how there are secondary plots outside of Trent and Halli's romance (or rather, Trent's doggish pursuit of Halli, considering she doesn't really budge for him until the last quarter of the book). There's a steamy forbidden attraction involving the enemy, someone on the side of Halli's predators, and of course, the entire blackmail/ransom story itself. Netzel's style is clear and to-the-point, which makes Lost in Italy a fast read, but not a very fascinating one.

On another note, something that is pretty exciting is that I'm quoted in the book! A portion of my review for Shattered Trust made it to her review pages in the back:

Yippee!! And on the back cover too!!!

What an honor to be featured in a publication.

As much as I love the cover ;) I do have to say I'm disappointed with Lost in Italy, considering how much I enjoyed her other novel. This book just didn't do Netzel justice; I feel it isn't an accurate representation of her (usual) work. Maybe it's the improbable storyline, or maybe it's the noticeably flavorless writing style; nevertheless, I can't really gush about this one.

Stephanie Loves: "'And how about dessert?'

The moment the words left his mouth, he could've kicked himself for not keeping the question to himself. In the close confines of the boat, with her recently showered fresh scent lingering in the air like it had in the car, his mind immediately flashed back to the scorching kiss at the Villa Melzi that morning. The one at Simone's had been nice, too, but it'd ended badly — how could it not with a gun involved? — and, that one certainly didn't make him crave a long, slow, hot dessert like the one in the garden did. His mouth actually watered as he fiddled with the camera in his hands.
'Sponge cake with fresh fruit and cream.'
He made a noncommittal noise, still vying for control over his over-imaginative mind.
'You want something else?'
She was bent over, digging pots and pans and a cutting board from his small cupboards. He eyed her tempting curves and said, 'Nothing you'd go for.'" — whooooooo-ee! This was sizzling.

Radical Rating: 6 hearts-Satisfying for a first read, but I'm not going back. ♥♥♥♥♥♥

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥: Undead Much? by Stacey Jay

2012-04-20T16:11:00.000+09:00

Undead Much? by Stacey Jay

Release Date: January 21st, 2010

Publisher: Razorbill (Penguin)

Page Count: 306

Source: From LibraryThing Member Giveaways for review

Q: How many guys does it take to make your boyfriend wild with jealousy?
A: Only one, if he's UNDEAD.

Megan Berry had a perfectly average new-sundress-and-boy-obsessed life — until her power to settle the Undead returned. Oh, and then her best friend tried to kill her — and ruin homecoming — with a bunch of black magically raised zombies. At least she got a spot on the pom squad and a smokin' boyfriend (Ethan). But now Megan is in deep fertilizer all over again. Why? Well, let's see...

Feral new super-strong zombies? Check.

Cheerleader vs. pom squad turf war threatening half time as they know it? Check.

An Undead psychic hottie (Cliff) who's predicting a zombie apocalypse — and doing his best to tempt Megan away from Ethan? Yum. I mean, Check.

Earth-shattering secrets that could land Megan in Settler prison for life? Um... It wasn't me!!!

Everyone thinks Megan's at fault for the new uber-zombie uprising. Looks like she'll need the help of both Cliff and Ethan if she's going to prove her innocence before it's too late.

What Stephanie Thinks: Vampires and werewolves are overrated in the Young Adult paranormal scene, so it was really refreshing to be able to read a novel about, not only zombies, but zombie slayers, in Undead Much?. The second installment in Megan Berry's dedicated, dangerous, and literally deadly misadventures is one you don't want to miss. Both Jay's easy, entertaining voice, and the multiple dilemmas Megan faces in the life she could only dream was normal, will appeal to all lovers of the genre.

First and foremost, I find this an excellent example of paranormal for teens. Megan is totally kick-ass and gets her job done right — though the Zombie Settler council suspects of her of dark magic that she isn't even channelling — but she also remains reserved about it — adolescent maturity at its highest — and has the exact same problems most non-Settler teenage girls have in their lives. As a Settler, her job is to use her powers to return the raised dead back to their graves and seal them in forever. However, she isn't just another Settler; she's one with massive powers that could, if used for the wrong purposes, destroy both her, and the entire magical community as well.

Recently however, her powers have been ineffective in Settling zombies — and they've even failed her a few times during zombie attacks. With powers as immense as hers, she used to be unbeatable, but now, she's a bit disappointed. The worst part is that the Council, the authority, thinks SHE'S the one resurrecting the freakishly strong zombies. She needs to prove her innocence, as well as explain why she, the only one with enough power to even do such a thing, is the one who's in the most danger of all.

This book is also a romance, one I think teenagers will swoon over. The love triangle created between her, her extremely hot and understanding boyfriend, Ethan, and a cute but mysteriously human-like zombie, Cliff, is very pure in relationship terms, yet the tensions sizzle on each page. Megan struggles with regular girl problems — such as dealing with the discomfort of going to second base — and these, alongside her mission to prove the Council wrong, as well as embark on an unwelcome path to discover her own identity, makes Undead Much? an engrossing and, for me, addicting read.

My only complaint is sometimes Megan's problems seem really trivial; she makes mountains out of molehills often. Perhaps Jay was just trying to convey Meg's personality in that way, but it's hard to sympathize with a protagonist and narrator who nags and acts like a four-year-old sometimes. Other than that, I think Undead Much? is a highly successful novel that dignifies and embraces the Young Adult genre by incorporating adventurous, romantic, and moral anecdotes to satisfy readers in every way. I definitely am looking forward to the sequel.

Stephanie Loves: "'I don't want you to ruin your chances to do something you love.'"

Radical Rating: 8 hearts-Would recommend to lots of really good friends. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

❤author: Dave Becker Interview and Giveaway!

2012-04-19T13:55:00.000+09:00

❤ I'm thrilled to welcome author, Dave Becker, to the blog today. Welcome to ¡Miraculous!, Dave! Will you please share a short bio with us?

Dave Becker has spent the past 20 years lying to people for a living. Fiction seemed like the next logical step. The Faustian Host is his first novel.

❤ Congrats on the release! Tell us little bit about your debut.

Plymouth Rock is bleeding. Day has turned to night. Hundred-pound hailstones level buildings. The small town of Clement seems cursed, and the residents know who's to blame: the new kid, Tony Marino.

After losing his family and his home, 14-year-old Tony is forced to move from Florida to Massachusetts to attend Kalos Academy, an unconventional school for gifted children. Strange things begin to happen the day he arrives, and soon stories of plagues, monsters, and mystical objects surround him. Refusing to believe superstitions, Tony struggles to explain the occurrences logically, until he comes face to face with a satanic cult determined to bring about the end of the world.

❤ What inspired you to write it and then how did you get published? Tell us your call story.

The Faustian Host is actually my third novel, but the first to be published. I've spent the past ten years trying to pitch several novels, screenplays, short stories, dirty jokes, etc. with no success. After several failed attempts, I decided to try my hand at a young adult novel - something my kids might want to read.

I first pitched The Faustian Host to literary agents, and immediately there was a different reaction to this book. Within a few days, I received more requests for the manuscript than all my previous attempts combined. Unfortunately, none offered representation.

At the encouragement of an author friend of mine, I decided to query major publishers directly. Despite strict policies not to accept any materials directly from authors, within 24 hours, three of the top six publishers in the world asked for the manuscript. That's when I knew I had a story that was definitely marketable. But like the agents, none of the editors offered a contract (technically, Random House and Scholastic are still considering it, but it's been months since I last heard from them).

Finally, my wife suggested something I'd toyed with for years: self-publishing. I'm a graphic designer, web programmer, copywriter, and marketing consultant by trade, so I just happened to possess all the skills and experience necessary to pull it off. I published The Faustian Host in March 2012 for Kindle and Nook, and it should be available for iBooks as well.

So I received some incredible validation from major publishers (Little Brown actually stated that they never accept unagented submissions, but they really wanted to read The Faustian Host but I never got "the call." I'll settle for the novel gaining in popularity and selling well. At least I got the exact cover and design for the book I always envisioned.

❤ How did you arrive at writing your particular genre? Is there any other genre you'd like to tackle in the future?

I've been a youth leader at my church for over 20 years, so I've developed a genuine love and admiration for teens. Since I communicate regularly with them, I felt I had a knack for writing young adult fiction, and figured it was worth a shot. I've also written adult novels, and have a psychological thriller entitled Mindfront that will be available in November.

❤ Looking forward to that. How much of your actual life gets written into your fictional stories?

Quite a bit in this one. I was part of the gifted program as a child, which shaped the entire structure of the fictional school, Kalos Academy, in the novel. The kids in The Faustian Host adopt an Ethiopian village, which is exactly what my church did several years ago, and I've been to the village twice to teach English, provide AIDS medication, and distribute food and vitamins. There's also a fight scene where the protagonist battles a school bully with "swords" which are simply PVC pipes wrapped in electrical tape. Sounds strange, but I engaged in the very same activity with a group of slightly brain-damaged guys one very late and painful night.

❤ What are your biggest motivations for writing?

I'm a visual artist as well as a writer, so I'm constantly plagued by dreams, visions, and ideas. If my work seems good, then that makes me creative. If not, I'm just insane. Either way, that's the way I am, and it's not going to change.

❤ How would you describe your writing style and tone?

I love to learn, so whatever I write ends up being infused with odd facts and trivia. In The Faustian Host, I created a school for gifted kids for that very purpose. The cool thing is that while much of the information seems irrelevant, some of it ends up saving the kids' lives.

❤ Give aspiring writers a piece of advice you wish you had known before getting published.

Writing isn't easy and won't make you rich. Even if you land a major publishing deal, you will have to work tirelessly to promote your book to try to get it to sell until you surrender to working tirelessly on writing your next book which you will have to work tirelessly at promoting. That's ultimately another reason why I published The Faustian Host myself. I have friends who are mid-list writers and I knew I'd have to do a ton of work anyway, so I figured I might as well try it on my own terms.

❤ What about you would surprise your readers?

I have memorized all the countries, capitals, and flags of the world. So, if I'm ever kidnapped, blindfolded, and taken anywhere in the world, all I have to do is get a glimpse of a flag, and I'll immediately know what city I need to get to to find the US embassy to get home. Maybe there's a book in there somewhere. Or maybe I'm insane. See what I mean?

❤ Puahaha! All the best people are ;] Who are some authors you idolize?

I'm a voracious and eclectic reader, so I admire way too many writers to list. The first author I remember knowing by name was Dr. Seuss, and I probably still have a few of his books memorized from reading them so many times to my kids. The first author that made me want to be a writer was Judy Blume. The first author that made me want to be a better writer was Edgar Allen Poe. The first author that made me realize I'll never be a great writer was John Milton.

❤ Seems like all those authors constituted you to become the writer you are today! What’s the most interesting comment you have ever received about your books?

Very strong writing and a fascinating concept that avoids all the usual contemporary paranormal tropes.

This message was voiced by two different editors at two different major publishers, both explaining that they just couldn't justify taking a risk on an unknown author. That was enlightening.

❤ What's next for you?

Next, I'm going to paint a new mural in my house. Then I'm going to finish editing Mindfront, and then continue writing the sequel to The Faustian Host, hopefully finishing it by next summer.

❤ Where can you be found on the web?

Website | Facebook | Goodreads

❤ Before we conclude this interview, is there anything you'd like to ask our readers?

I'm holding a giveaway. If you become a fan of my author page on Facebook, one lucky winner will receive a signed, paperback copy of The Faustian Host. The novel is only available for purchase as an eBook; only 1o promotional paperbacks exist, so this is a wonderfully rare opportunity!

Giveaway!

You heard Dave right! One lucky winner will receive a rare paperback issue of The Faustian Host by 'liking' his Facebook page! If bychance you don't use Facebook, become a fan or add him as a friend on his Goodreads page instead. To enter, leave a comment on this interview with your Facebook or Goodreads name that you are following Dave with.

Giveaway runs through May 31st, 2012 at 11.59 pm (your time).
Open to US readers only!

Good luck!

typography

2012-04-09T23:16:00.002+09:00

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥: Ashton's Secret by Liana Laverentz

2012-04-02T15:44:00.000+09:00

Ashton's Secret by Liana Laverentz
Release Date: May 28th, 2009

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Page Count: 250

Source: Directly from author for review

From the moment he'd caught her snooping on his property, Meghan Edwards knew Nicholas Hawkinson was the man she'd been looking for. But would this dark, secretive stranger help her solve the mystery of her sister's death?

Nicholas Hawkinson wanted nothing to do with the city-girl photographer who asked too many questions. Five years ago the people of Ashton had been all too quick to accuse him of murder. They still considered him the town's black sheep, a bad boy at best and a killer who got away with it at most. The smartest thing for both of them would be to never mention Heather again.

Her sister was dead, and Meghan knew it wasn't suicide. So did Nick. Whether he liked it or not, Ashton's most dangerous man was the only one who could help her now. And Meghan wasn't leaving until she'd unraveled this sleepy little town's secret -- or died trying.

What Stephanie Thinks: I absolutely love how Laverentz incorporates threatening suspense and jeopardy into her heartwarming romances. Ashton's Secret involves a tough love story because it isn't about two lovey-dovey people who fall for each other at first sight. In fact, Meghan Edwards, though attracted to the tall, dark, and handsome Nick when she meets him in an unfortunate snooping fiasco, hates his guts initially. He's impolite, he's disrespectful, and he just makes her feel like she's unwelcome in the small town of Ashton. Yet she knows he holds the key to her search to find out the truth about her little sister's death.

Which, she convinces herself, is the only reason she's putting up with his crap, the only reason she keeps coming back to Nick, as churlishly as he treats her. But is it really? Is her sister the only reason she's staying? In her subtle prying, in her attempt to get close to the man who may as well have been Heather's lover -- or even her murderer -- Meghan finds a deep, sensitive, and even loving side of Nick she wants to unravel further. And ever so slowly, he just might be letting her in. But Ashton has different plans.

I appreciate the twists and turns this book has, but find it to fall a little flat on the romance. Compared to Laverentz's other novels, this one doesn't give me that tingly swooping feeling I expect from her. Nick and Meghan squabble too much to really seem that in love, though their hot body language does indicate otherwise. Their relationship seems too quick and too unrealistic, but then again, I wouldn't point it out as the essence of this novel. I'd rather classify it as a suspense story because the mystery was definitely enough to keep me on edge the whole time.

Laverentz's writing style is still as clear and smooth as ever, another thing I really enjoyed. The plot is pretty straightforward and is really a puzzle -- which is a good thing! -- but the characters are hard to relate to. This one's a bit lengthy too, so I can't call it an easy breezy read, but I did like it overall. If mystery is more up your alley, as well as tough chicks and even tougher heroes, I'd definitely recommend this one for you.

Stephanie Loves: "His face remained expressionless, but his eyes filled with an unmistakable masculine glow that Meghan felt all the way down to her toes . . .
Bedroom eyes. The man was looking at her with bedroom eyes."

Radical Rating: 7 hearts- A few flaws here and there, but overall enjoyable. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

The Lure of Shapinsay Giveaway!

2012-04-01T00:00:00.002+09:00

❤ The delightful Krista Holle, author of all things romance, is offering up a great giveaway package containing swag to promote her historical eBook, The Lure of Shapinsay, which was published in December!

Krista's debut novel is a unique paranormal romance dealing with the very old Scottish mythology of the selkies. Selkies are beautiful seal men and women who live the bulk of their life under the water as seals, but they occasionally shed their skins to come on land as humans. The men are notorious for luring women to their deaths deep beneath the sea. Here's the official blurb:

Ever since Kait Swanney could remember, the old crones of the village have been warning her to stay away from the selkies. They claim that like sirens of old, the seal men creep from the inky waters, shed their skins, and entice women to their deaths beneath the North Sea. But avoiding an encounter becomes impossible when Kait is spotted at the water’s edge, moments after the murder of a half-selkie infant.

Kait is woken unexpectedly by a beautiful selkie man seeking revenge. After she declares her innocence, the intruder darts into the night, but not before inadvertently bewitching her with an overpowering lure.

She obsesses over a reunion deep beneath the bay and risks her own life to be reunited with her selkie. But when she lands the dangerous lover, the chaos that follows leaves Kait little time to wonder—is it love setting her on fire or has she simply been lured?

Sound yummy, or what? There are already a bunch of awesome reviews of it on Goodreads, so be sure to check out what those readers have to say. Also take a look at the book trailer, which makes me want to read the book even more!

Additionally, check out her website for more info about upcoming releases as well as exclusive content on her work :)

Giveaway!

Up for grabs, just for ¡Miraculous! readers, are the following:

eBook copy of The Lure of Shapinsay

'Have you been lured?' promotional T-shirt

Themed bookmark

Themed bookplate

To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post explaining why you'd like to read The Lure of Shapinsay. There are plenty of reasons I can think of at the top of my head, so this is an easy-peasy one!

Giveaway runs through April 14th, 2012 at 11.59 pm (your time).
Open to ALL readers, including you international folk!

Good luck!

❤author: Alina Adams Interview and Giveaway!

2012-03-27T16:26:00.154+09:00

❤ I'm thrilled to welcome author, Alina Adams, to the blog today. Welcome to ¡Miraculous!, Alina! Will you please share a short bio with us?

I'll try to keep it short. ;) I was born in the former Soviet Union, and moved to the United States with my parents when I was seven. When not writing books, I've mostly worked in television, including E! Entertainment (when I was there, nobody knew what a Kardashian was), ABC Daytime (that's the soaps; when I was there, they still had four on the air), ABC Sports (and ESPN) in their figure skating department, and Procter & Gamble Productions for As the World Turns and Guiding Light. I currently live in New York City with my husband and three kids, where I am in the process of turning all my previously published books into enhanced eBooks with audio, video, et cetera, and helping other writers do the same (like Dan Elish, whose children's fantasy, The Worldwide Dessert Contest now includes its own original musical theater score!)

❤ The enhanced eBooks sound marvelous! Tell us a little more about them, as well as your Figure Skating Mystery series.

In 2002, following the Olympic Pairs' figure skating judging scandal in Salt Lake City, I wrote Murder on Ice, the first in what became a five book series, based on the real-life events. Except in my version, the judge who awarded the Gold medal to the dour Russian over the perky American is promptly murdered. And it's up to Bex Levy, television researcher (a job I was very familiar with), to solve the crime.

At the time I first wrote the book, and its follow ups, On Thin Ice, Axel of Evil, Death Drop, and Skate Crime, when it came to talking about the beauty and majesty and artistry and athleticism of figure skating, all I had at my disposal were words. Now, however, with the advent of new technology, I can actually illustrate the performances of my main characters, thanks to videos provided by the Ice Theatre of New York. Murder on Ice: Enhanced Multimedia Edition is an eBook that not only features all the text of the original, Berkley Prime Crime paperback release, but also skating videos embedded as an integral part of the story!

❤ How did you arrive at writing mystery? Do you write any other genres?

The very first book I sold, The Fictitious Marquis (to AVON in 1995), was a Regency romance, as was my second, Thieves at Heart. Alas, I am of the belief that nothing truly romantic could have taken place prior to the invention of indoor plumbing. I switched to contemporary romance in 1998 with Annie's Wild Ride and When a Man Loves a Woman in 2000 (the latter is also currently available as When a Man Loves a Woman: Enhanced Multimedia Edition, featuring its own musical soundtrack). I came to mysteries after a non-fiction book I wrote in 2001, Sarah Hughes: Skating to the Stars unexpectedly hit the best-seller list following Sarah Hughes' upset victory at the Olympics. My editor on that book asked if I had any interest in writing a figure skating mystery. I said yes. The same way I'd said yes eight years earlier when an editor asked me if I'd like to write a Regency romance. I didn't even know what a Regency romance was then. I, at least, knew what a mystery was (and was already an avid reader). So I figured I was ahead of the game.

❤ How funny, but fortunate! How much of your actual life gets written into your fictional stories?

Well, in the case of Murder on Ice, the character of Bex is a great deal like me – eighteen years ago. She is just out of college, in her first full-time job, desperate to make a good impression, and while she believes she knows a great deal (and she does), she doesn’t know what she doesn’t know, which is her biggest obstacle. As is the fact that, when you’re that young and that eager, it’s pretty difficult to discern what’s truly a big deal, and what won’t matter a whit in a few years – or days.

Because my background is in soap operas (another enhanced eBook, Soap Opera 451: A Time Capsule of Daytime Drama’s Greatest Moments features interviews with the actors, writers and producers who created the scenes fans voted as their favorites and features links to the scenes themselves), I made my Figure Skating Mysteries a series. While each book features a single crime that gets solved at the end, the characters move from book to book. They change and evolve and grow. The same way I hope I have (for the better) since I started writing them.

❤ What are your biggest motivations for writing?

An inability to do anything else. No, really. I can’t not write. I can’t not make up stories. It’s pretty much all I do. I walk to pick up my kids from school, I cook dinner, I shower, and I hear characters talking in my head. What else is there to do but write it down?

❤ Can you honestly say being an author is your ideal job? Do you ever sometimes wish you hadn't begun a writing career?

Being a writer is absolutely my ideal job. If I had my druthers, I would do nothing but write stories, then hand them off to other people to produce and edit and, most importantly, market and promote. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. Whether you’re with a major New York City publisher, a small press, or reissuing previously published works on your own, you have to get the word out about them to the most important people in this process – the readers. No one else will do this for you. I love talking to readers, I love blogging, I love answering questions and hearing what people like – and don’t like – about my work.

However, the process of finding reviewers, blog hosts, interviewers and other promotional details – if I could leave that part to someone else, I wouldn’t miss it.

❤ Very insightful – I feel I'd do the same! How would you describe your writing style and tone?

I like to believe I’m light and funny. Some people agree with me; some do not. I also enjoy writing characters who do things, not just talk about them (frankly, I prefer that quality in real-life people, too).

I prefer dialogue over exposition (in both writing and reading), self-deprecation over self-pity (again, a quality I like to see in real life), and plot over introspection. I’m the kind of reader who always wants to know “what happens next?” And I hope I’m a writer who inspires the same enthusiasm.

❤ What about you would surprise your readers?

English isn’t my first language. I didn’t speak a word of it when I started second grade in San Francisco, CA. But I think I picked it up pretty well ;)

❤ You sure have! Glad to see fellow second-tonguer around town :) Give aspiring writers a piece of advice you wish you had known before getting published.

There is good writing, and there’s writing that sells. Sometimes a piece can be both. But, it doesn’t have to be. Figure out what you’re most interested in, and what those words mean to you. Frankly, I’ve sold very few books, articles, what have you, that were truly as “good” as I would have liked them to be. But if I’d continued to work on them incessantly, I might have missed the chance to get them sold and out into the world (where other people can take great glee in explaining what’s wrong with them). I’ve had work that I liked edited to the point where I didn’t even like it anymore – I felt the flavor and tone of the original piece had been irrevocably lost. But the editor is boss, and I went along with it. Writing is my career and my job, and I treat it as such.

❤ What's a question you always want to be asked during interviews? How would you answer it?

I know one of the biggest mistakes I’ve made in my career is that I’ve skipped around from genre to genre. I wrote two Regency romances, two contemporary romances, five mysteries, three books of non-fiction, three soap opera tie-ins (Oakdale Confidential, The Man From Oakdale, and Jonathan’s Story), and now this whole enhanced eBook thing. I’m not easy for a reader to keep up with.

I wish someone would ask, “Why, Alina? Why do you skip around like this – to your professional detriment?”

The answer would be: Because I am always looking for a new challenge. I feel like once I’ve got the hang of something, it’s time to move on, try something different. Fortunately, with enhanced eBooks, we are all still so early in the game, nobody knows what’s going on (and if they tell you they do, they’re lying), or what this will ultimately turn into. I can’t wait to find out. And to be a part of that process.

❤ What’s the most interesting comment you have ever received about your books?

It’s not so much one comment, per se, but the many disparate reactions that can be triggered by a single story. My first contemporary romance, Annie’s Wild Ride and, to an extent, its follow up, When a Man Loves a Woman were incredibly polarizing. People either loved the main characters, or detested them. They either understood why they did what they did, or thought it made no sense at all. No one was on the fence.

I found it absolutely fascinating how the same story could engender such conflicting reactions.

When I was at Procter & Gamble Productions, I developed a media property for them, Another World Today, which was an online soap opera where fans got a chance to vote at the end of every episode on where they’d like the story to go next. No matter how obvious a question seemed to be, we never, ever, ever had a landslide poll result. There were always divergent opinions.

It taught me there is no such thing as a story that everybody likes.

❤ What's next for you?

After Murder on Ice: Enhanced Multimedia Edition, I plan to enhance all five books in my Figure Skating Mystery series, followed by my romances. Once that’s done, I will be launching an original series, Counterpoint which, like Another World Today, will allow the readers to guide the story as I write it. I plan to put out a book a month with my readers’ help!

In addition, I am actively working with other writers to help enhance their books, and am always interested in new projects and proposals.

❤ Where can you be found on the web?

My website has information on all of my current and upcoming books, as well as a mailing list for all the latest news. In addition:

Blog | Facebook | Twitter

❤ Before we conclude this interview, is there anything you'd like to ask our readers?

What can I do to make the enhanced eBook experience better and more enjoyable for readers? Please e-mail/Facebook/Tweet me and let me know. As I said, I am eager to work on projects that take reader feedback into consideration. I want to be interactive, and I
want to hear from you!

In the meantime, I am giving away a copy of my coffee-table book, Inside Figure Skating. Leave a comment on this interview with your thoughts about enhanced eBooks and where the future of reading is headed in general, in order to be eligible to win. And thank you!

Giveaway!

You heard Alina right! One lucky winner will receive a Inside Figure Skating by leaving a comment (make sure you read Alina's question) on this post.

Giveaway runs through May 31st, 2012 at 11.59 pm (your time).
Open to readers in the continental US only!

Good luck!

guess who'll be keeping my bed warm from now on ;)

2012-03-26T00:00:00.000+09:00

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥: Jake's Return by Liana Laverentz

2012-03-25T15:53:00.001+09:00

Jake's Return by Liana Laverentz
Release Date: October 19th, 2009

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Page Count: 203

Source: Directly from author for review

The last person small town bad boy Jacob Donovan expects to find when he returns home in disgrace after serving time is Rebecca Reed, head librarian. Rebecca had always had much bigger ambitions. Jake hadn't wanted to stand in her way, so after one night of passion with his former best friend, he'd hit the open road.

Rebecca refuses to believe Jake is guilty of murder. The boy who'd been her friend and protector when they were town outcasts together could never have killed a woman. Not to mention the tender, loving man who'd given her their daughter, Katie.

But who is Jake now? That's what everyone wants to know, including the town council chairman, who is determined to send Jake back to prison, by any means available.

Jake's been running from love for all of his life. Will he find the courage to defeat his demons and stay this time?

What Stephanie Thinks: Laverentz does it again! I was so pleased with Thin Ice, which I reviewed back in August, and even more thrilled when Liana contacted me asking if I'd like to review her other books too. I love her writing style, as well as the realistic, yet still edgy and intriguing contortions in her stories. Jake's Return once again impressed me with its essentially Laverentzian elements: the perfect villain and the perfect crime; childhood sweethearts, Rebecca and Jake, who only spared one hot night together; and most riveting of all: a burden of proof created between them, which publicly acknowledges the intensity of their love, thus counteracting all denials of it. You don't get any better than that.

The plot is just complicated enough, involving a love child and a scandalous homecoming, but it's simple and straightforward -- nothing confusing and nothing TOO deep. The frisson between Rebecca and Jake absolutely sucks me in. Each of them, as characters, come to life from the pages, making me fall in love with them, even with all their flaws. And of course there's little Katie. Laverentz has a knack of tugging at your heart by using adorable irresistible children. How very, very manipulative of her.

Overall this book was the perfect blend of suspense, airy questions, and heat. I loved it, but the only complaint I have is that Jake and Rebecca's relationship was so coy -- there was so much of 'you deserve better than me's and 'I love you but won't ever tell's that seemed a bit immature at their age. This isn't a high school romance; I felt both Jake and Rebecca, as adults, should have been able to voice their feelings better, no matter how difficult it is to admit to falling in love. It was frustrating for me as the reader because the sexual tension made me want them to get together already, dammit! I like sexual tension in a story, but this as a whole was more irritating than it was suspenseful. And it was sort of encompassing because the whole book revolves around the relationship. Nothing that upset me too much, but was just spread throughout.

If you're looking for a romance that's not ALL romance, but also family sentiment, small-town values, and thundering suspense; if you're looking for a book that surrounds two very lost and very in love characters who learn to make the best of what they have -- especially in circumstances and disasters they have no control over -- I would totally recommend Jake's Return. I love the fuzzy feeling I get when I read Laverentz's stories. I guarantee you will too.

Stephanie Loves: "Her all-out smile did dangerous things to his libido."

Radical Rating: 8 hearts-Would recommend to lots of really good friends. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

❤author: Katherine Stone Interview and Giveaway!

2012-03-24T01:11:00.001+09:00

❤ I'm thrilled to welcome author, Katherine Stone, to the blog today. Welcome to ¡Miraculous!, Katherine! Will you please share a short bio with us?

Thank you! I'm delighted to be here. I'm a physician turned contemporary romance novelist. Born in Seattle, I attended Stanford University followed by medical school at the University of Washington. I did a residency in internal medicine in San Francisco and a fellowship infectious diseases in LA. There was also romance in LA. I met my future husband, physician-novelist Jack Chase there...during a spinal tap. I was having difficulty with it - though the patient was fine - and he appeared, as if a knight on a white charger, and saved the day. My twenty-one novels have been translated into over twenty languages and are sold throughout the world.

❤ Tell us about you books, and more specifically, Bel Air, which I reviewed recently!

First and foremost, they are love stories. I write about nice people who are giving life their best shot despite the enormous obstacles I put in their way! Like most of us (I think) they hope to be loved for who they truly are, and aren't at all certain that will ever happen (especially given the aforementioned obstacles), but, in the end, they are rescued by love.

There are other relationships, too: friends and enemies; sisters, brothers, twins, families. I usually have an ensemble cast who lives are entwined in various ways. Soap opera-esque, you ask? Yes, absolutely and unabashedly, with a little Grey's Anatomy and Lifetime Movie Network thrown in. The tension is more emotional than sexual (or so my readers and fellow writers tell me). I can't and don't resist including medical drama - and information - from time to time.

[Bel Air is a sweet romance that incorporates the medical drama as well as extra-romantic dilemmas within the storylines as well!]

❤ What inspired you to write your first book and then how did you get published? Tell us your call story.

The immediate inspiration was my husband, who, after years of hearing me say that someday was going to write a novel, said "Just Do It!" I should mention that I'm a firstborn Virgo, which means I have two scoops of goal-setting and achieving (or bust) combined with the utter inability to resist a challenge. And since age 11, when I wrote my first story, writing had always been a passion and a dream.

I knew nothing about getting published. But it made sense to me to send the completed manuscript directly to the folks who actually made the publishing decisions -- i.e., the publishing companies. In those days, this was possible to do. A book called Writer's Market listed the companies that would accept unagented books "over the transom" to be added to their "slush pile."

I got the we-want-to-publish-it call in my office. I had just returned from making infectious disease rounds at a hospital in Chicago. Needless to say, I was over the moon!

❤ How did you arrive at writing your particular genre? Is there any other genre you'd like to tackle in the future?

Like many writers, I had been telling myself stories forever. As a very young girl I remember looking forward to going to bed so that, before falling asleep, I could find out what happened next.

Romance, relationships, drama, tormented heroes, love conquering all, and happy endings are what have always interested me. It's what I authentically love - and, I think, it is my only authentic voice.

❤ How much of your actual life gets written into your fictional stories?
Lots, although in non autobiographical bits and pieces. I definitely write about places I know and love, and medicine, and things I wish I could do (like be able to sing). And there are certaintly fictionalized glimpses of people I have known and admired. But the specific relationships and characters are imagined.

❤ What are your biggest motivations for writing?

I love it, and those darned stories (dare I say voices in my head?) keep coming.

❤ Can you honestly say being an author is your ideal job? Do you ever sometimes wish you hadn't begun a writing career?

I'm very lucky. I've loved being both a doctor and an author.

❤ How would you describe your writing style and tone?

Dramatic, romantic, soft.

❤ What about you would surprise your readers?

That I was on stage at the Rolling Stones' concert in Altemont, maybe? My undergrad years at Stanford coincided with the acid-rock era in San Francisco. My brother was - and is! - a gifted musician. So I felt totally comfortable wandering back stage, fiddling with amplifiers, talking to musicians, etc. You could do that then. It was that open and free. But on that sunny California day, the scene went from joyful to terrifying in a heartbeat.

❤ Give aspiring writers a piece of advice you wish you had known before getting published.

Everyone has their own voice, their own unique stories to tell. No author's voice will be every reader's cup of tea, nor does it have to be. Write your story the way you want to write it and believe it should be. Don't put things in - or take them out - because you think that's what another author would do. Go with your instincts, the way that feels true and right to you.

❤ What’s the most interesting comment you have ever received about your books?

I got a lovely postcard from a reader who was vacationing in Italy. She had been in Rome, admiring the roses in the Borghese Gardens, and she felt quite certain that she had spotted Charles and Melanie enjoying the gardens, too.

What's so lovely about this is that Charles and Melanie are characters from Twins.

❤ What's next for you?

Both Jack and I are in the process of publishing our previously published novels in new ebook and trade paperback formats. His brand new medical thriller, The Magruder Transplant [which Stephanie WILL be reviewing soon, once she sits her butt down to it, folks!!!], has also just been released.

It has been great fun revisiting the books. I've discovered, however, that some of my characters have more to say - and now are saying. As a result, this has become a lot more involved than simply converting existing Word docs to ebook ready html files. But I'm really enjoying the revisiting and, of course, I want the books to be the best I can make them.

❤ I'm certainly looking forward to getting to them. They all sounds like good reads -- I've currently just started Roommates, actually! Where can you be found on the web?

My web address is www.katherinestone.com. There's book info, bio, mailing list sign up and, most importantly, a few of the zillion photos I have taken of the 3 canine girls who rule our world: Wendy, Molly, and Scout.

❤ Awww! How precious! Before we conclude this interview, is there anything you'd like to ask our readers?

Not ask so much as tell. You remember that firstborn Virgo thing? Bossiness comes with the territory, too. I'm a huge believer in going for your dreams - and as my wise (Scorpio) husband said to me, "Just Do It.".

Giveaway!

Katherine has been generous enough to offer a new trade paperback edition of Roommates for one very lucky ¡Miraculous! reader! To enter, all you have to do is tell us what you love! Katherine's interested in what you readers enjoy, so leave a question or comment telling us your favorite book, movie, hunk, television show, or anything else that comes to mind! We just want to hear from you :)

Giveaway runs through April 8th, 2012 at 11.59 pm (your time).
Open to readers 13 and older (by the prize provider's request) -- US and Canada only!

Good luck!

♥♥♥♥: Bottom Dwellers by Shane Etter

2012-03-23T15:38:00.000+09:00

Bottom Dwellers by Shane Etter
Release Date: April 7th, 2011

Publisher: Black Rose Writing

Page Count: 159

Source: Directly from author for review

After suffering a stroke, forty-eight year old, karate black belt Patrick Dylan is scuba diving in Lake Lanier for exercise and therapy. He encounters green skinned mutant people with gills who have been living there for more than fifty years, since the lake was created. While diving, Patrick also meets beautiful Park Ranger Trudy Price who soon becomes his fiancée.

Just as with all people, there are good and bad among the bottom dwellers of Lake Lanier. Patrick battles with the bad and is surprised by the good.

Thinking that they have left subterranean life in the deep waters of the lake, Patrick and Trudy get married and head to New York City for their honeymoon. When they are visiting the Cloisters Museum, a curator is found murdered. They are thrust into the investigation and discover another subterranean culture: The Mole People of underground Manhattan, denizens of the abandoned subway and train tunnels. Patrick and Trudy are once again coping with good and evil among a different kind of bottom dweller.

What Stephanie Thinks: The prospect of this sci-fi novel is extremely engaging. I love 'other world'-type stories, with different races, especially if they have histories behind them. In Bottom Dwellers, the Bottom Dwellers came into existence when a subterranean city was covered by a damn and some of its townspeople refused to take refuge, while the Mole People formed as a result of poor living conditions and preferential outcasting. This, in my opinion, demonstrates a high level of imagination on Etter's part. Unfortunately, the story fell immensely stale because of the author's lack of writing style and lack of acceptable structure.

The book is easy to read, with large font and less than 200 pages. I probably read it in two or three sittings, not having enjoyed one. I really wanted to like this novel but the rigid and awkward tone that Etter uses made it impossible. He describes in excruciating detail, the little insignificant parts of the book (every phone call between Patrick and Trudy, every nightly routine, every driving scene) but skirts over the major parts with equal drawing-out. This not only is a turn-off for me as a reader, but also as for me as a writer, who knows better than to make such mistakes.

The dialogue is probably what irks me most. It's very idealistic (e.g. would only happen in someone's mind, or with between thick people) and again, awkward. I can't ever see it happening. For instance, here's the engagement scene, which takes the sentiment out of any idea of 'proposal' I ever had:

She squealed with excitement, but said, 'Isn't this a little sudden?'

I said, 'When you know, you know, and I'm not getting any younger.'

'Well, that's true. You aren't getting any younger and you probably should get married. So, okay. I'll marry you.'

'Thank you.'

I'm sorry, but df was that??

In terms of organization, there really is none. Perspectives shift randomly, without page breaks or even line breaks, for that matter, which makes any instant understanding of the book's situation very confusing. Chapters cut off at random moments, rather than at suspenseful peaks or resolved conflicts, which is both irritating and detrimental for the plot.

It would be a really long stretch for me to recommend this book. Some novels, I can definitely say and know just weren't for me, while others, I get a feeling can't be enjoyed for the majority. I personally did not like it (reading it was easy; taking it seriously was tough), although I was impressed with the sole idea of Bottom Dwellers and Mole People. I also gained great knowledge for scuba-diving, which was pretty cool. But aside from those few things, this book is a page short of a tragedy.

Stephanie Loves: "'I knew I smelled a rat. If you weren't a girl I'd show you what I could do.'
'If I wasn't a lady I'd kick YOUR ass.'"

Radical Rating: 4 hearts- So-so; reading this book may cause wrinkles (from frowning so much). ♥♥♥♥

♥♥♥♥♥♥: Bel Air by Katherine Stone

2012-03-22T22:29:00.001+09:00

Bel Air by Katherine Stone
Release Date: June 28th, 2011

Publisher: CreateSpace (originally issued by Zebra in 1990)

Page Count: 372

Source: Directly from author for review

All that glitters is not gold...
Sometimes it is love.

Bel Air, California, where even the rich and famous marvel at the splendor of their surroundings. It is here, in the lush, sun-bright hills of Hollywood, that Allison, Winter, and Emily search for the courage to dream, to trust, to love.

But there are dark secrets and hidden betrayals that must first be overcome.

A terrible accident has stolen Allison Fitzgerald's dreams, and it has taught her that life is too precious and too fragile to waste. So when she meets a man who evokes a passion in her that she has never known before, she surrenders to his love without questioning his secretive past.

Gifted and beautiful actress Winter Carlyle has learned from painful experience that the people she loves always leave her, and that it is far too dangerous to care, and that she is only liked when she is pretending to be someone she is not. Still, she is willing to risk everything for the doctor who sees beyond the pretense... but is he willing to risk everything for her?

Emily Rousseau only feels safe, only feels free, when she is behind the lens of her camera, safe and free from the men who want her, and want to hurt her. The portraits she takes are works of art, and there is one man, unlike any other man she has ever known, who sees not only the talent in her work, but the loveliness in her. But can she accept the love and face that demons that will free her from her past?

What Stephanie Thinks: Bel Air is everything I want and expect in a sweet romance, with lovely and flawed, yet beautiful characters, an exhilarating ambiance, and a twisted (though eventually resolved) storyline. Stone brings each of her protagonists -- both male and female -- to life by portraying and delving deeply into their pain and pasts, of their loves and longings. I think every reader will be able to relate to, on some level, how intricately hurt each of them are in their own way.

More than the characters, is the stylistic ease and flavor Stone writes with. I can tell her words are penned carefully and thoughtfully, stringing together to produce delicate, sensory prose. To me, the plot was so-so and very foreseen, but the author's technique made each sentence an awing and impressive read.

Overall I don't think this is my ideal romance novel. Keep in mind, it was written some-twenty years ago, but it's definitely outdated, lacking the necessary suspense and just that 'hook' modern fiction has. The plot certainly has its strengths -- skirting on topics such as recovering bodies and recovering hearts, bitter reminiscences and bitter ex-flames, betrayal, death, as well as a discovery of abuse, and emotional trauma -- all stuff that could potentially have been considered 'dramatic' and edge-of-your-seat worthy back in the day, but cannot be said any longer. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy the book, but I just don't think it was anything phenomenal of a narrative either.

The characters' motives and the outcome of the plot were inevitable, so there was nothing really that made me hang on to the words on the pages (aside from the gorgeous and elaborate fluidity of style). I didn't have to guess anything, so the end of the book really just felt oomph. I feel I didn't necessarily get anything out of it.

I definitely think some of you will enjoy it more than I did, though; it's simply not keen on my tastes. While the typical predictable 'clean' romance is usually not my thing, I can say Bel Air is a beautifully-woven, affectionate novel about love and light to be cherished and reminded of, when the good gets going and the going gets tough.

Stephanie Loves: "'Emily, please don't go.'

'Rob, why not?'

'I'm afraid you won't come back.'

Her obvious surprise reassured him a little.

'With all the collateral you have?'

'What collateral?' he asked. The ring, which you do not want? The flannel nightgown? 'What, Emily? Are you leaving your camera?'

'No,' she said softly. 'I am leaving my heart.'"

Radical Rating: 6 hearts-Satisfying for a first read, but I'm not going back. ♥♥♥♥♥♥

currently up for review

2012-03-21T17:33:00.007+09:00

This list is the one thing in my life that is guaranteed never to end.

❤ 2012 lucky leprechaun giveaway hop!

2012-03-17T00:00:00.063+09:00

the season ❤ So great to be back with this hop this March! I participated last year and had an amazing turnout. If you're returning, hello again, and if you're new, welcome! I've been very missing in action these past few months because of my studies abroad in Korea, but I'm trying my best to hold on. Thanks to all those who've stuck with me xx I may not lead a very charmed life, but am so incredibly lucky to have readers like you :^)
the hop ❤ The Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop, hosted by Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer, is scheduled from March 17th at 12.01 am until March 22nd at 11.59 pm. The basis of a giveaway hop is simple and tons of fun: each participating blog hosts a giveaway and then we link up together allowing our followers to hop easily from one giveaway to another. For followers this means lots of chances to win free books. For blogs hosting a giveaway it means lots of new visitors and followers. It's a win-win!
the giveaway ❤ For this one, I'm offering two $25 gift cards to the winner's book retailer of choice. May it be Book Depository, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Borders -- you get to choose! This prize is open for anyone to win, including my lovely international readers!
the specifics ❤ Since this is a follower hop, I will have to make (+1) following my blog a mandatory entry (on your left). For additional entries, you can (+3) follow me on Twitter (@lovestephaniexx).

Leave a comment on this post saying you follow (include GFC name), along with your email address. Let me know if you have any additional entries, too (include Twitter handle). No GFC name + email or Twitter username = No entries!

So for example, if I am entering the giveaway, I would leave a comment saying:

+1 Follow your blog! (GFC name: ❤Stephanie)
+3 Follow you on Twitter! (Twitter name: @lovestephaniexx)

And that would give me five entries.
the small print ❤ I'm not saying this because I'm a complete bitch who wants to make your life a living hell, but because I've noticed something going on with a lot of follower hops. The point of them is not to temporarily follow that blog and unfollow as soon as the giveaway is over. The point of the follower hops is for the blogs generously offering giveaway prizes to gain more readers and followers -- in return, participants receive the opportunity to win great prizes such as books, gift cards, and swag. I'm not just speaking on behalf of myself, because seriously, I'm so grateful for the followship I have (love every each and one of you!), but I know for a fact this happens with lots of other blogs as well. Being part of the blogging community, I just want to let my two cents be heard. And not to sound cheeky, but a lot of us bloggers use Qwitter, which is an app that tells us exactly who unfollows us on Twitter, so we're not as oblivious as you think. If you are so inclined as to read more about how I feel on this subject matter, please refer to this blog post.

the end ❤ Sorry my rant was a little anal. I'm not trying to be mean. YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU so don't even go there, darling. Be sure to enter all of the other giveaways going on for this hop; there are so many great prizes being given away!

❤,
Stephanie xx

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥: Love At Absolute Zero by Christopher Meeks

2012-02-29T06:00:00.068+09:00

Love At Absolute Zero by Christopher Meeks
Release Date: July 22nd, 2011

Publisher: White Whisker Books

Page Count: 304

Source: From author, via Bewitching Book Tours for review, as part of the Love At Absolute Zero virtual tour

Love At Absolute Zero is the story of Gunnar Gunderson, a 32-year-old physicist at the University of Wisconsin. The moment he's given tenure at the university, he can only think of one thing: finding a wife. This causes his research to falter. With his two partners, Gunnar is in a race against MIT to create new forms of matter called Bose-Einstein condensates, which exist only near absolute zero. To meet his soulmate within three days -- that's what he wants and all time he can carve out -- he and his team are using the scientific method, to riotous results.

What Stephanie Thinks: When it comes to the social scene, particularly the female social scene, Gunnar Gunderson has never had the luck. He likes women, he's sure -- in fact, he likes them a lot -- but having grown up a dorky little science geek, as an adult, his charisma is slightly lacking to say the least.

As a character, I absolutely adore Gunnar! He's perfectly awkward and well-intentioned and adorable. I could definitely relate to some of his mishaps -- how his life never plays out the way he imagines it. Just because he's a physics professor doesn't mean he's not imaginative. And in a sad way, I learned, just because he is thirty-two, a grown man, doesn't mean he's not naïve. One too many times, he's had his heart fooled, which may be the bane of his inability to score. But he needs game, he discovers. Call it a mid-life crisis, but he needs game -- he needs a woman -- and he needs her now.

With the help of supportive (even if ludicrous) fellow-science-nerd friends, and a rock-solid mom and sis, Gunnar learns that the true meaning of love cannot be defined and planned accordingly; that the true meaning of love lies subjectively within the individual, and that it never, especially in the beginning, plays out how you will expect it to.

Meeks's writing, I feel, isn't highly laudable. I admire how he can incorporate humor and physics together into a love story (now that I think about it, that feat itself is pretty impressive), but the style is a little stiff, doesn't flow very well. Nothing that keeps me up at night. The story's very readable, though; I didn't have any trouble getting through it, and didn't have to force myself to keep turning pages.

If you're in for a rather untraditional happily-ever-after love tale with a little bit of science geek innuendo and a whole lot of genuine emotion -- something we rarely see from the male perspective, but what I think Meeks does an incredible job at conveying -- then pick up Love At Absolute Zero to give it a try!

Stephanie Loves: "'The most painful state of being is remembering the future, particularly one you can never have."

Radical Rating: 8 hearts-Would recommend to lots of really good friends. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥: King of Paine by Larry Kahn

2012-02-24T22:05:00.001+09:00

King of Paine by Larry Kahn

Release Date: April 26th, 2011

Publisher: North Atlanta

Page Count: 353

Source: Directly from author for review

A desperate patient. A rumored cure. How far would you go to find the fountain of youth?

Frank Paine is not your prototypical FBI agent. He's an ex-Hollywood stud with a kinky past, an irreverent wise-ass who craves forgiveness from the woman he loves. When a ruthless stalker uses Frank's indiscretions to ensnare him in an erotic cat-and-mouse death match, his investigation points toward a missing biochemist. His hunt for her secret haven takes one tragic turn after another, until he finds himself facing an impossible dilemma. Someone will die as a result of his decisions, and it may be his soulmate. Or him.

What Stephanie Thinks: Can I first just say that the blurb of this book, as well as the cover, really, don't do it justice? The blurb makes it sound like a fantasy novel, and the cover, something incredibly sex-targeted. While sex is one of the main themes of this story, it's not what you're thinking, it's not just another piece of erotica. The "fantasy" aspect isn't so over-the-top, either. In fact, it's very scientific, very legal, in a way that I never expected just from the cover. Even with the sensitive issues of BDSM and euthanasia, I think King of Paine makes for brilliant, overall completely satisfying suspense science fiction -- one that enters mainstream, and one that ought to be way better recognized.

Frank Paine is basically the ideal romantic suspense hero. I know this book doesn't come of as a love story -- that's another thing to add to the list of what one wouldn't expect from this novel -- but beyond the FBI cracking down clues and delusional serial killers exploiting heinous sex crimes, King of Paine is a love story. Paine has the good looks and the charm and the mentality. What he doesn't have, is atonement for his past, nor riddance of the ghosts that haunt him of the woman he screwed up with majorly many years before, but still loves, even to this day. But when she, Jolynn Decker -- former small-time actress now-turned bar dancer, thanks to his fuck-ups -- suddenly shows up again after all this time, the fact that her entrance is ill-timed to the case he's working on, can't possibly be a coincidence. The top-secret case involves humiliation, sex humiliation, via the dangerous world of online BDSM chat rooms and other methods of kink. And both Frank and Jolynn turn scarlet as they remember their own kinky past. However, Frank realizes he can't allow his past with Jolynn to impede his dilemmas now. Because if he keeps extracting his old ghosts, he won't ever be able to progress in the present.

I know some of you are wincing right now. BDSM and sexual internet perversion in a mainstream novel? Yessir. Trust me, even though the topics are a little racy, the story is more than just twisted fiction. I seriously think King of Paine is the most canny and intelligent suspense piece I've ever read. Kahn's literary style is, I cannot stress enough, very impressive, and his organization and consistency of thought (which are the essential elements of a good whodunnit) amazes me. His diction is grandiose, never boring and always intriguing, but he does all this without sounding unprofessional or perverted, in the way that many authors of similar genres do.

What I think I'm keenest on, is how this book covers so many branches of interest. Not just the sex, but also the federal suspense, the science of youth, the medical world, the secrets. Accolades to Kahn for his ability to somehow weave all of this together.

As for characters, the two I like best, surprise surprise, are Frank and Jolynn. Frank, while he is the typical sexyass hunk (you know how fond of them I am), is also just in my opinion, the perfect man. Not perfect as in flawless, because he has many imperfections as we humans tend to, but perfect as in respectable and admirable even with his mistakes and shortcomings. He doesn't let his status -- both social and physical -- get to his head, which I love about him. He stays grounded by the woman he loves fiercely, even though he knows she'll hurt him most, and that kind of courage pulls at my heart. Jolynn's character on the other hand, isn't as deeply probed, but I think she would be the kind of person I'd get along with well in real life. Witty and beautiful in that ethereal, unattainable way, she's another character I fell in love with and rooted for during the entire book. The secondary characters (Frank's coworkers, the prime suspects, the old friends) are likable also, and I think characterization is another one of Kahn's many strengths.

I really don't think my review does this book justice either. It's just THAT good. Sorry if my thoughts are a bit messy, but if my review isn't clear enough, you must go check this one out. At times, some of the scientific facts and law-related data become dull, but overcoming them heightens the adrenaline of its plot, trust me. This book will become your newest obsession as well as your biggest nightmare. Yes, I fucking dreamed about it. What the hell. It is a medical suspense and legal thriller and contemporary literary sex propaganda all rolled into one. It is fucking fantastic, not only for its stunning depth and complexity, but for its all-encompassing message that love, even when all hope is lost, shall prevail, but only if you really try, and only if you are willing to sacrifice all you have now and all you worked for in the past, to make it work out.

Stephanie Loves: "Running a hand through his clipped hair, Frank knew in his heart Jolynn was not playing him, at least not in the way Jero imagined. The problem was that his heart had betrayed him before."

Radical Rating: 9 hearts- One of my all-time favorites! ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

the sweetest revenge

2012-02-08T23:40:00.000+09:00

Is it more potent to stay silent and smile my tears away, or to act cool but plot a secret and more destructive vengeance? I'm never one to stand to the side, but then again, Korea isn't my playing field, so maybe just this once, I shouldn't fight back.

The problem is, this isn't just once; this is the second time I've been screwed over by a stupid guy. I've never not had a chance with a guy I'm interested in. Boys I like have always liked me back, and in the States, always pursued me. The rules here are a bit different though. This is the first time I've been teased. I have never been "the other girl" because I'm so used to being the girl. I don't like this new feeling much.

It isn't like I've ever been looking for a relationship, either. But the opportunities keep arising, and then are snatched away just as fast.

This is the longest time -- six months -- I've gone without a relationship. Unless I count the few guys here and there I've gone out with. But I don't -- they were trivial and I had a little fun with them, nothing more.

I hate the feeling of being single.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥: The Rogue's Pirate Bride by Shana Galen

2012-02-01T06:00:00.161+09:00

The Rogue's Pirate Bride by Shana Galen

Release Date: February 7th, 2012

Publisher: Casablanca (Sourcebooks)

Page Count: 339

Source: Directly from author for review

REVENGE SHOULD BE SWEET, BUT IT MAY COST HIM EVERYTHING...
The marquis de Valère escaped certain death in the French Revolution and is now an infamous privateer. Out to avenge the death of his mentor, Bastien discovers himself astonishingly out of his depth when confronted with a beautiful, daring young woman who is out for his blood...

FORGIVENESS IS UNTHINKABLE, BUT IT MAY BE HER ONLY HOPE...

British admiral's daughter Raeven Russell believes Bastien responsible for her fiancé's death. But once the fiery beauty crosses swords with Bastien, she's not so sure she really wants him to change his wicked ways...

What Stephanie Thinks: If you're familiar with my book preferences, you'll know that while I'm open to reading any sort of story (as long as it is fiction), historical romance is the one genre I try to stay away from. As displayed in my rather discouraging review of Carlyle's The Bride Wore Scarlet, I find it difficult to enjoy the remarkably cliché stubborn-heroine-attempts-to-resist-horny-but-foxy-as-hell-hero storylines, as well as the so-called "taboo" of very proper ladies behaving so improperly (that, my mindless little pigeons, was only exciting in The Other Boleyn Girl, and it stopped being exciting when "historical romance" actually became a mainstream genre) and find that the little bits of history in between aren't as interesting as they're intended to be. History is for textbooks, not romance novels. This ideology probably explains why I only enjoy one out of every five historical romances I read. Stop holding your breath, Shana, dear. The Rogue's Pirate Bride was that lucky one.

While the typical feisty heroine motif does annoy me a bit, Raeven comes off as a lovable, rather than bitchy, character, due to her vulnerabilities. She's mad clever -- which is a trait I suppose comes along with sailing on ships full of men with her father from the age of four -- but she's also tender, and like every girl, has had her heart broken once, and is fearful of opening it up again. The overly self-assured sexyass hero (here, he's a duke turned pirate -- the kind of man a girl happens to capture the attentions of, only in a romance novel) also irritates me a bit, but Galen does a marvelous job of making me love him too. Swoon swoon sigh: that basically sums up my reactions to their heat-and-banter relationship.

Galen has a writing style that is entirely consuming; I read this in two sittings! The plot moves along quickly, so I didn't find myself getting bored (even within the typically-dull historical tidbits) at all. The dangers of the life of a pirate in Bastien's case, and a rebellious admiral's daughter, in Raeven's, were a constant adrenaline rush. Swashbuckling brawls and heart-thudding suspense kept me at the edge of my seat.

On the other hand, there's a bit of a compassionate reflection in this book as well. Bastien's lived off his mentor and crewmates ever since he lost his family -- poor victims of the Revolution -- so the concept of family is something he's never really known. Raeven helps him realize what the true meaning of family is, and shows him that with enough hope, family is something he can once again have.

I didn't realize this book is the third in the Sons of the Revolution series. This implies that SPOILER yes, Bastien does have brothers, whose stories are told in the previous two books. However, I picked this one up not knowing the series' sequence, and I understood it just fine. It could be considered just a connected stand-alone novel, as the main characters of the first two books only play minor cameo roles in this one. I have a tendency of doing this -- meaning, reading books out of order -- with series(es?)... as demonstrated by my consumptions of Nicola Cornick's The Brides of Fortune and Maya Banks's KGI series.

Sorry... I tend to ramble when I really like a book. Consider this über-long review as praise for a scorching thrill of a novel full of sexual tension and cutting humor :^) I'm impressed by the buzz of Raeven and Bastien's rocky but tempestuous relationship (and blown away by the sex!), as well as the encompassing compelling drama of this regency-set novel. Speaking of which, it doesn't all take place in England, like most regency romances do. There's a bunch of France too. Oui oui. Shana Galen is an honor to the historical romance family; books like hers make me reconsider my distaste for the genre, and that kind of influence, to be able to sway me in that manner, is not, I repeat, not, an easy thing to do.

Stephanie Loves: "'There's nothing complicated about our relationship. I hate you and I want you dead.' After I kiss you half a dozen more times." -- ahh. Haven't we all secretly lusted over someone we promised ourselves we would hate?

Radical Rating: 9 hearts- One of my all-time favorites! ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥: Fangs Rule: A Girl's Guide to Being a Vampire by Amy Mah

2012-01-29T06:00:00.123+09:00

Fangs Rule: A Girl's Guide to Being a Vampire by Amy Mah

Release Date: March 1st, 2011

Publisher: Reardon

Page Count: 124

Source: Print copy from author, via Bewitching Book Tours for review, as part of the Fangs Rule virtual book tour

Fangs Rule: A Girl’s Guide to Being a Vampire is a Young Adult book for anyone between puberty and senility as it takes a close-up look at life as a female teenage vampire in easy-to-follow A-to-Z advice for the reader. The book is also full of manga art which helps show the human world what life is like in a vampire world...

Everything is explained from how to polish your fangs to fashion tips and ways of climbing across a ceiling wearing a nightdress without showing your underwear.

Fangs Rule is a must for every teenage vampire and from these pages you will see why Amy says “Vampires don’t sparkle! ... they bite!

What Stephanie Thinks: This A-to-Z guide is an innovative approach to the paranormal Young Adult genre. Rather than hopping on the bandwagon of sparkly sexy vampires (Amy Mah actually dispels these clichés... gotta love her for that, if anything!), a little bit of classical gothic vampirism is shown within the pages of this book, as well as a lot of gore. And of course the sex. But not the explicit adult kind. As a book for teenage girls, all exhaustive information that has to do with sex is more oriented toward how it should be dealt with in the pubescent years, and for the most part, humorously. So I wouldn't call this inappropriate, by any means.

Mah is a real hoot. Her style of writing is rather childish, but it definitely captures a teenage girl's essence -- it's so flustered, that I can't help but think it cute. Her liveliness and enthusiasm make for real knee-slappers; I found myself chuckling more than a few times throughout this book. The advice given not only is helpful (for those teen girl vampires out there), but it also all ties together to bring the reader into understanding Mah's world of the paranormal. I appreciate how she is able to do this without writing an actual novel, just with a simple list!

The book has its flaws too, however. The grammar and conventions are poor -- as an independently-published book, that much isn't a surprise. There are a lot of "errrr"s" and "ummmms" and ".................."s that aren't fit for a book. It just is incredibly unprofessional, not to mention, annoying. Some topics are also really uncomfortable in a painfully awkward "why on earth would you bring something like that up?" way. For example, there's a whole section about why a certain species of vampire (the undead housemaids) don't wear underwear. Use your imagination to figure out what this reason is (hint: they're basically sex slaves....). Yeah, she went there. It's not that things like that are particularly improper, it's just that they're really, really weird.

The illustrations are well-drawn, but they're a bit irrelevant. Vampire powers will be discussed, and out of the blue, on the next page, will be a picture of an old man with a caption that says "This is my uncle in his nice suit" or something. Gave me lots of "lolwut" moments.

Looking past the editing mistakes (did Mah even have an editor?), and inopportune subject matters, I liked this one a lot. The manic tone is quite amusing, and the teenage experience (that she describes skillfully) relatable. Kudos to Mah for telling a vampire story without actually writing a story... even without a definite plot, this book, with a cast of characters and a detailed exposition, could be considered a great Young Adult novel thanks to the dazzling vampire realm it creates.

Stephanie Loves: Amy Mah brilliantly sums up a teenager's unfair, unlucky, and incredibly awkward life: "For some reason boys are fascinated with boobs, and with plastic surgery so easily available nowadays I don't see why they don't get their own..." -- so why is it that they like ours so much -___- Us girls don't obsess over their weenies like that.

"[Blooding] is the when quality time is spent with your dad, no longer, in which he no longer is the old-fashioned monster of a male that storms into your bedroom without knocking while you're changing and demanding that you apologize to your mother for something that she is shouting at him about." -- the story of my family in one sentence.

"If your boyfriend suddenly decides to go commando, just tell him he looks untidy. A boy standing still naked is okay, but as soon as he walks about, not all his bits move at the same pace, and it is more amusing-looking than sexy. You may have heard of girls swooning (fainting) when seeing a boy naked, but I expect this was just an excuse to stop from pointing at them and getting into a fit of giggles over what they see." -- I reckon so too! LOL

"Remember that it is normal to turn the head slightly when you kiss. Nine times out of ten it will be to the right, which of course means that the first time you kiss a boy, he'll be the one out of ten sort, and you'll knock noses." -- in every kiss you have as a teenager, he will be the one out of ten sort. It soon shall pass.

"There's a truth in the old saying: 'Go to bed with a stranger and wake up with a friend.'" -- well I never! This puts a whole new perspective on the concept of sleeping with the enemy. So forbidden (hot).

Radical Rating: 8 hearts-Would recommend to lots of really good friends. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

❤author: Becky Due Interview and Giveaway!

2012-01-20T19:09:00.000+09:00

❤ I'm thrilled to welcome author, Becky Due, to the blog today. Welcome to ¡Miraculous!, Becky! Will you please share a short bio with us?

Like the main characters of my novels, I spent many years running from my life, looking for love, crying a little and laughing a lot along the journey of finding myself. Through writing, I found my passion. I am the author of several books and I’m currently working on my next novel. Happily married Scott and I live in Colorado, Florida and Alberta, Canada with our two furry "kids".

❤ Tell us about you books, and more specifically, The Dumpster, which I reviewed recently!

Well, if you’re looking for something — love, friendship, entertainment, laughter, hope, inspiration, strength — you’ll find it in my novels. The women in my novels are never rescued by men; these women rock!

Winner on the 2011 National Indie Excellence Book Awards (Romance), The Dumpster: One Woman’s Search for Love, is about an average woman looking for love in all the wrong places. This is a lighthearted novel where you can relax, have fun and hopefully laugh out loud.

❤ I know I sure did! What inspired you to write your first book and then how did you get published? Tell us your call story.

I’ve always enjoyed writing, so moving into a writing career seemed natural to me. The publishing story is a long one. After finishing my first novel, The Gentlemen’s Club: A Story for All Women, I sent out the query letters and had many agents interested, but because I couldn’t afford a professional editor at the time, I felt defeated. I kept writing, working hard and saving my money. By the time I could afford the help I needed, writing and publishing had changed. Therefore, I started my own publishing company, and the rest is history. It was the best decision I’ve ever made. It’s challenging, but I love my career.

❤ How much of your actual life gets written into your fictional stories?

Of course, I’m in every book in one way or another. It is usually all of the ridiculous stuff I do that finds its way into my books. I don’t think I’ll ever tell what is fiction and what really happened. I have so many great friends who also find their way into my stories, but usually because they are just so amazing to me.

❤ What are your biggest motivations for writing?

I have to write. I’m not happy unless I’m writing… just ask my husband. My biggest motivation comes from my readers. I’m crazy in love with my readers. They are the best!

❤ Can you honestly say being an author is your ideal job? Do you ever sometimes wish you hadn't begun a writing career?

I am so thankful for my career. I feel blessed everyday; I get to do what I love. When I have down days, like we all do, I give myself a break. I take the day off and do something else I enjoy, like painting, going to the movies or napping in front of the TV.

❤ How would you describe your writing style and tone?

I write the way I like to read. When I pick up a book, I hope it moves along quickly. I want to live in the story for a short time, and then I want to get back to my life with a new, empowered, inspired outlook. And that is what I try to do in every one of my books.

❤ Give aspiring writers a piece of advice you wish you had known before getting published.

A book will not market itself — make sure you have a marketing and sales plan. This career is a lot of hard work and takes a lot of your time, but like anything, if you want it badly enough, go for it.

❤ Are there any books or authors you idolize?

I’ve been touched by so many authors and books, but I’d have to say, Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote is my favorite book. I’m very sentimental and I read that book at a time when it made an important impact on my life. Books have a way of doing that.

❤ What's a question you always want to be asked during interviews? How would you answer it?

Well, I think it is interesting how we get little signs throughout our life, guiding us to our purpose. I had so many little signs along the way, and I wish I had listened much sooner. I’m thankful I figured it out. I hope all women tap into that inner voice and find their passion. We have the power to change our lives anytime we want, at any age.

❤ What’s the most interesting comment you have ever received about your books?

“I’ve decided to go back to school because of Returning Injury: A Suspense Celebrating Women’s Strength.” The woman could not put her finger on what part of the book inspired her, but she said something in the story made her want a better life.

She did go back to school -- in fact, she will graduate next year.

That’s the kind of thing I hope for with every book I write.

❤ Wow! The effect books have on readers is an amazing one. What's next for you?

I’m working on my next novel — editing stage — and I have another project that started as a screenplay, but I’ve decided to rework it into a novel.

❤ I'm certainly looking forward to them! Where can you be found on the web?

Website | Facebook | Twitter

❤ Before we conclude this interview, is there anything you'd like to ask our readers?

I’d love to let your readers know that I am giving away a package of my books to celebrate this interview. You’ll receive The Gentlemen’s Club: A Story for All Women, Touchable Love: An Untraditional Love Story, Returning Injury: A Suspense Celebrating Women’s Strength, The Dumpster: One Woman’s Search for Love, and my children’s book, Blue the Bird: On Flying.

Giveaway!

You heard her right! Becky's giving away all FIVE of her books today! To enter this fabulous giveaway, leave a question or comment for Becky.

Giveaway runs through February 3rd, 2012 at 11.59 pm (your time).
This giveaway is open to ALL readers 18 and older (by the prize provider's request), international folks included!

Good luck!

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥: The Dumpster: One Woman's Search for Love by Becky Due

2012-01-19T13:55:00.000+09:00

The Dumpster: One Woman's Search for Love by Becky Due

Release Date: December 29th, 2010

Publisher: Due

Page Count: 187

Source: From author, via Dawn Seidel, for review

Nicole, a cute, chubby, twenty-something woman, is looking for love in all the wrong places. Who would have guessed that a dumpster in the back alley below her bedroom window would hold the key to finding love?

What Stephanie Thinks: To sum up The Dumpster with a few words, I would say: quick, easy, and entertaining. Kind of how I like my men. (.......uh). It isn't just that the plot is fast-paced, but the book's pages just fly past me. Definitely something you can read in one or two sittings, or in between train transfers, or while sitting in the waiting room at the doctor's office.

The story itself is very cute and perky; even in times of despair, there's lots of preaching about how Nicole is really a strong, independent woman, and that even though she may have hard times, that doesn't change the fact that she's lovable and wonderful. Gooey girly stuff like that. Nicole is, as in most chick-lit books, fun and friendly -- I wish I had a friend like her! She has insecurities like all of us do (man problems, moral problems, fat problems...) but she is blessed with great friends and a loving family to support her.

For most of the novel, Nicole's conflict is that she can't seem to find a guy... a guy who'll stick, anyway. She's attractive, and she's got a great personality (as her friends, her awesome partners in crime, assure her), but guys just see her for sex, as an easy lay, and it's about time she do something about it.

Enter the smelly dumpster that turns her life around, which sits right outside her bedroom window. Nicole hates it at first, but eventually it turns into a figurative "dumpster" where she can literally throw out everything that is troubling her (i.e. her "fat" clothes, her ex's clothing, and so on). The moment this idea clicked for me, I was thrilled at how Nicole was solving her own problems.

I must admit the tone of the book is rather childish -- too girly, too immature -- at times. There were moments I wanted to slap Nicole (she's a bit of a ditz) but she's still a good person at heart. This book is one to read when you really don't want to think too much, when you just want a good laugh (the situations Nicole gets herself into are hysterical!), or when you just need something to get you out of the dumps. Due very simply tells a pleasant story about a woman finding her true love by first finding herself, and I recommend it to all lovers of chick-lit and women's fiction.

Stephanie Loves: I love Becky Due's sense of chick humor! "Nicole thought she had gone to heaven. Frank was perfect in every way. But then he didn't ask her if she wanted any [cotton candy]. He didn't even look at her as he paid the guy and said, 'I love this stuff.'

What a jerk. He'd better share.

Frank sat next to her stuffing his face with her blue, fluffy sugar. And if that wasn't bad enough, his elbow kept bumping her breast each time he took a mouthful, reminding her of what she was missing. Then he leaned over and offered some to Mark, who passed. Frank offered it to Roxanne and she passed too. Nicole was about to have an oral orgasm when he finally offered her some. She could not believe what came out of her mouth. 'Oh, no thank you. That's a little too sweet for me.'"-- LMAO. We all have our moments.

Radical Rating: 8 hearts-Would recommend to lots of really good friends. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

♥♥♥♥♥♥: A Black Girl's Poetry for the World by Kimberly LaRocca

2012-01-08T01:18:00.000+09:00

A Black Girl's Poetry for the World by Kimberly LaRocca

Release Date: April 13th, 2011

Publisher: CreateSpace

Page Count: 123

Source: Directly from author for review

Kimberly LaRocca knows all about challenges, the ones we can’t control, and those we create. She also knows about standing tall and staying proud, no matter what.

While celebrating self-determination and human pride, A Black Girl’s Poetry for the World also presents insightful poems exploring all aspects of the human experience. From lost loves, strained relationships and the difficulty of forgiveness to raw anger and intense sexual desire, LaRocca ‘tells it like it is’ and literally bares her soul in her poetry.

What Stephanie Thinks: The intimacy of this collection of poems -- on the life, love, and losses of Kimberly LaRocca -- really puts a memorable touch on it. Narrated often in the second person, her carefully spun words really jar the reader and show them not only the trials and tribulations of her life, but more importantly, that she's overcome all of them and has emerged as the strong, radiant woman she is today.

As poetry, however, it falls a little flat. Vocabulary is simple and figurative language is mediocre, so there isn't much of a extraordinary value to the words. Everything written is very honest and raw, though, so that makes it really personal and relatable. The wording is sometimes awkward, and some metres have ill-fitting word choices for the sake of rhyming patterns. I cannot stress enough that rhyming does not make for good poetry. Sometimes it can even take away. But I'm not the author, so I have no place to dictate; I'm just saying the poetry would have flown a lot more naturally had it not been forced to rhyme.

I like how the poems (each no more than eight stanzas, or one page) come together to make up the "autobiography" of LaRocca. Of course, nothing is ever clear-cut and as poetry, her life story is open to interpretation, but the basic foundation the reader gets is pretty solid. I wouldn't say this collection of poems is anything phenomenal, but it sure is a frank, sassy, easy read that demonstrates the value of being able to hold one's head high even after a heartbreak, as well as the value of learning to dance in the rain after the storm.

Stephanie Loves: At one point, we all get fed up with a lost love, fed up with constantly caring and being the one who gets hurt, so we become determined to make them feel in every which way, as if they're the one who lost something good. LaRocca describes this emotion perfectly in A Love Like Mine:
"You're gonna miss me when I'm gone.
Miss what we had,
The way I kissed you late at night.
You're gonna miss me so damn bad.

You say you don't care,
That there are many more like me.
I really hope you find her soon,
So you can finally see.

Yeah, you think you know it all,
Thing it's all a big game.
But time will tell,
And your heart will know
She and I aren't the same.

Go ahead.
Make your move.
And please, hold your breath
Until she loves you like I do."-- it's like this: I am the best he has ever had (and will ever have), but he won't know it til I'm gone. Appeasing in a really bitchy, determined way. I like that sort of power trip (because 100% of the time, he's the one who comes running back anyway).

Radical Rating: 6 hearts- Satisfying for a first read, but I'm not going back. ♥♥♥♥♥♥